Today marked the start of another environmental project for Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games: work to recover and revitalize the Canal do Fundão, a part of Guanabara Bay that is one of the first sights of Rio for those arriving via Tom Jobim International Airport. The event was attended by the minister of the environment, Carlos Minc; the governor of Rio, Sérgio Cabral; the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes; and the state of Rio’s environment secretary, Marilene Ramos.

The two-year project involves dredging 6.5 km of channels to facilitate the circulation of water, sanitation works, bridge strengthening and various improvements to urban infrastructure. As part of preparations for the project, soil and sediment analyses from 107 sites were conducted.  One layer of sediment which contains heavy metals will go through a decontamination process, after which the purified water will be returned to the bay.

“This project complements the work for Rio’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Furthermore, it will improve residents’ quality of life. It is a major all round gain for the city,” said Governor Cabral. This is the most important project within the Guanabara Bay Clean-up Program.  The bay will host the sailing competitions if Rio is selected to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

In January, the Rio 2016 bid committee reinforced its commitment to the environment by participating in the inauguration of the Alegria sewage treatment plant in the district of Caju, organized by Cedae, the state’s water and sewerage company.